Mohali MC elections: AAP to have alliance with Kulwant group
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Azad group led by former mayor Kulwant Singh are set to enter into an alliance to fight the municipal elections scheduled on February 14.
It is learnt that Azad group will be contesting on 29 seats while AAP will fight on 21 seats, though the formal announcement is expected on Friday. Azad group had already declared a list of 30 candidates.
“We will have an alliance with AAP for MC elections. Talks are going on,” said Kulwant, who parted ways with Shiromani Akali Dal earlier this month.
AAP’s district president Parminder Singh Goldy said the party wants 50-50 seat sharing and talks are going on with Azad group. “The official announcement will be on Friday,” he said.
With the latest development, the MC elections are set to witness a four-cornered contest between SAD, Congress, BJP and AAP-Azad group alliance.
Alleging the alliance was forged during a dinner meeting between AAP state unit president Bhagwant Mann and Kulwant, who is also a realtor, Charanjeet Singh Brar, political adviser to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, said: “Mann has sold his party to corporates. Where are the party’s senior leaders now.”
Taking a jibe at AAP and Azad group, Congress leader and cabinet minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said: “The issue is that both are not getting candidates for the elections, so they are entering an alliance.”
Kulwant Singh on January 21 released a list of 30 candidates, with most of the Akali leaders and former councillors who resigned in his support getting the ticket from Azad group.
Mohali’s civic body is elected for a period of five years, with the last term ending on April 26, 2020. In the 2015 elections, Kulwant had led the Azad group and won 10 seats. With the support of Congress, he was elected the mayor. Later, in 2017, he joined SAD.
Less time to read?
Try Quickreads
-
SGPC urges MEA to facilitate visit to Afghanistan
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has urged the Centre to facilitate the visit of a delegation of the top gurdwara committee to Afghanistan in July to ascertain the situation of the Sikh community in the war-ravaged country. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that it is equally important to ascertain the condition of historical places in Afghanistan and their required renovation and maintenance.
-
Seeking implementation of 7th pay panel, NHM employees suspend work for 3 days
At least 700 employees of the National Health Mission engaged with the health department suspended work for three days starting Monday. Most of the NHM employees of the Ambala district protested under the banner of the Swasthya Karmachari Sangh, affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, outside the office of the civil surgeon. The BMS is a trade union affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
-
One killed as two Bihar students clash at birthday party in Jalandhar
A student from Bihar was killed and another critically injured when they fell from the third storey of a hostel building at DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology here following a clash between them at a birthday party, police said. While fighting, the two students fell from the third floor when the railing broke.
-
Randeep Hooda keeps his promise to Dalbir Kaur, performs her last rites
Fulfilling the wish of Sarabjit Singh's Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda, sister Dalbir Kaur, who essayed the role of her brother in his biopic 'Sarabjit', performed her last rites at her native Bhikhiwind village in Tarn Taran district. Hooda gave shoulder to Dalbir's bier and also lit her pyre as per her wish on Sunday. Dalbir, 67, passed away after she complained of severe chest pain on Saturday night.
-
Panchkula police arrest 39 drug peddlers in last two months
Within the last two months, 39 drug peddlers have been arrested by the Panchkula police as a part of the drive against drugs. A separate unit has been constituted to arrest those dealing in drugs. In May, 16 cases were registered and 23 persons were arrested and in June, 13 NDPS cases were registered and 16 persons were arrested. To break the chain of drug peddlers' nexus, a special team has been constituted.
